Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has issued a passionate critique of the Nigerian film industry’s growing fixation on appearance over ability, particularly within the booming YouTube production space.
In a video message shared via Instagram on Monday, the screen legend called out what he described as a dangerous trend of casting based on popularity and looks rather than acting skill.
“Movie making is not about having a fine face,” Kanayo declared.
“It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, well, that’s quite unfortunate”.
Kanayo, whose career spans over three decades and includes iconic roles such as in Living in Bondage, revealed his decision to refocus his YouTube platform on discovering and promoting lesser-known but talented actors.
He warned that the industry is repeating past mistakes, recalling how sponsors once sidelined gifted performers for not being “commercially attractive.”
“There was an incident many years ago… some sponsors woke up and started branding actors: ‘this one is not a good one, this one does not sell films.’ They killed the careers of those guys,” he said.
He expressed concern that the same mindset is resurfacing, with a handful of “acclaimed YouTube faces” monopolizing casting calls and leaving little room for emerging talent.
“Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How then do we sustain the content you watch? How do we create magic?” he asked.
Kanayo emphasized that he wants to be hired for his craft, not his marketability.
“I don’t want any producer to call me for a job because I’m a selling face on any platform. Call me because I can deliver,” he stressed.
He concluded with a call to action for inclusivity and creativity: “If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver, who can act”.